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Fivespot

About Fivespot

Fivespot is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Fivespot likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Fivespot belongs to the Nemophila genus, and is native to California.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Nemophila maculata

Genus

Nemophila

Family

Boraginaceae

Order

Boraginales

How to care for Fivespot

💦 Water

How often to water your Fivespot

Fivespot needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Fivespot in your home

Fivespot love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Fivespot does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Fivespot in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Fivespot

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Fivespot: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Fivespot after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Fivespot is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Fivespot →

Benefits of Growing Fivespot →

Common Fivespot Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Fivespot →

💦 Water Needs

Fivespot prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Fivespot Water Frequency →

Fivespot Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Fivespot requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Fivespot Light Requirements →

Fivespot Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Fivespot is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Fivespot Edible? →

Fivespot Toxicity to Cats →

Fivespot Toxicity to Dogs →

Fivespot Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Fivespot does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Fivespot →

Best Pots for Fivespot →

When and How to Successfully Repot Fivespot →

What Are Healthy Fivespot Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Fivespot should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Fivespot →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Fivespot grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Fivespot Lifecycle →

Fivespot Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Fivespot →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Fivespot can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Fivespot Temperature Tolerance →

Fivespot Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Fivespot →

When to Plant Fivespot →

How to Plant Fivespot →

Where to Plant Fivespot →

Winter Care for Fivespot →

Best Companion Plants for Fivespot →

Is Fivespot a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Fivespot, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.